LINET : A New Lightning Detection Network in Central Europe
Abstract
At the University of Munich a VLF/LF lightning detection network (LINET) was developed which provides a number of new features, useful for both research and operational purposes. These include a) total lightning capability: cloud-to-ground strokes (CG) and cloud lightning (IC) are measured with almost equal efficiency; b) low-amplitude reporting: weak events from channel currents below 5 kA are detected in order to cover the range with dominant IC-production; c) new 3D-discrimination: this method is utilized to separate CG from IC with excellent reliability, provided the sensor baseline does not exceed ~250 km; d) IC emission height: for each cloud event a height is determined which is thought to reflect the central region of the involved channel; and e) optimised location accuracy: due to the precision of the combined action of all network modules the position error of strokes reaches values as small as ~100 m. During international co-operations LINET has been tested in four different continents, namely in Southern Germany, in the area of Bauru in Brazil, around Darwin in Australia and during the ongoing AMMA campaign in Benin, Africa. Since the features quoted above could be verified, a 55-sensor network was established in Central Europe and put into operation on May 1, 2006, covering Germany and major parts of all surrounding countries. LINET data is available for scientific projects, and represents the data source utilized by the German Weather Services for operational purposes. The ability to cover a storm in terms of both CG and IC events without data loss in real time renders LINET a useful tool for a variety of research purposes, ranging from cell-tracking, recognition of severe weather conditions, and study of lightning-induced chemical processes to input data for numerical cloud model calculations. Especially the wealth of recorded IC events contributes to a renewed discussion of cloud discharges. Abundant occurrence of IC events is well-known but received little attention in the past. Since conventional VLF/LF networks suppress these events and have a relatively high detection threshold, detailed and comprehensive IC-distributions have never been presented before. Number and succession of events, amplitude distributions, and variations of emission height are suited to shed light on basic steps during the discharge processes. Examples for the analysis of typical storms, results for various lightning parameters, and comparisons with other data sources will be presented.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006AGUFMAE42A..08B
- Keywords:
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- 3304 Atmospheric electricity;
- 3314 Convective processes;
- 3324 Lightning;
- 3394 Instruments and techniques